Local Government Act 1985

13 Coroners

(1) In section 220 of the [1972 c. 70.] Local Government Act 1972 (appointment of coroners)—

(a) in subsection (1) for the words "for each county, for Greater London (other than the City and the Temples) " there shall be substituted the words " for each non-metropolitan county " and paragraph (b) shall be omitted; and

(b) in subsection (3) for the words " a county " there shall be substituted the words " a non-metropolitan county" .

(2) Subject to the provisions of this section, the enactments relating to coroners shall apply in relation to a metropolitan county and to Greater London as if—

(a) each coroner's district were a non-metropolitan county; and

(b) the relevant council for each coroner's district were the council of such a county.

(3) For the purposes of this section the relevant council is—

(a) for a coroner's district consisting of or included in a metropolitan district or London borough, the council of that district or borough; and

(b) for a coroner's district consisting of two or more metropolitan districts or London boroughs, such one of the councils of those districts or boroughs as may be designated by an order made by the Secretary of State.

(4) A relevant council shall not appoint a coroner except with the approval of the Secretary of State; and a relevant council falling within subsection (3)(b) above shall not appoint a coroner except after consultation with the other council or councils in question.

(5) Section 1(2) of the [1926 c. 59.] Coroners (Amendment) Act 1926 (disqualification) shall not apply to a metropolitan county or to Greater London but a person shall, so long as he is a councillor of a metropolitan district or London borough, and for six months after he ceases to be one, be disqualified for being a coroner or deputy coroner for a coroner's district which consists of, includes or is included in that metropolitan district or London borough.

(6) In the case of a coroner's district falling within subsection (3)(b) above the expenses of the councils in question in respect of the coroners service shall be apportioned between those councils in such manner as they may agree or, in default of agreement, as may be determined by the Secretary of State.

(7) The council of a metropolitan district or London borough (whether or not a relevant council) may provide and maintain proper accommodation for the holding of inquests in its area.

(8) Section 5 of the [1844 c. 92.] Coroners Act 1844 (assignment of coroners to districts) shall not apply in a metropolitan county or in Greater London but sections 19 and 20 of that Act (exercise of functions throughout the county) shall apply to a coroner appointed for a coroner's district in such a county or in Greater London as if he had been assigned to that district under section 5 but were a coroner for the whole of the county or for the whole of Greater London and as if Greater London were a county.

(9) No order in respect of a metropolitan county or Greater London shall be made after the abolition date under section 12 of the said Act of 1926 (coroners' districts) but the Secretary of State may by order divide, amalgamate or otherwise alter the coroners' districts for the time being existing in those areas; and before making any such order he shall consult the local authorities and coroners appearing to him to be affected by the order and such other persons as he thinks appropriate.

(10) Any coroner holding office immediately before the abolition date and assigned to a coroner's district in a metropolitan county or in Greater London shall be deemed to have been duly appointed by the relevant council for that district under this section; and any orders made under the said section 12 and in force immediately before that date shall, so far as they affect a metropolitan county or Greater London, have effect as if made under subsection (9) above and may be amended or revoked under that subsection accordingly.

(11) In subsections (2) to (10) above " Greater London " does not include the City or the Temples.